Envision Laie

We attended the town meetings for the growth of the whole Ko'olauloa area, which runs from the North shore, south to Kualoa Ranch area.  It was a whole evening of events around planning.  When I tried to express my opinion, I was "attacked" by one of the men at our table, "you don't have an interest here, you will finish your mission and go home."  I counter-attacked, and I should have kept quiet.  Actually, I answered that I was indeed interested.  But I kept quiet for the rest of the evening.  He also suggested a light rail system to run behind along the mountains, of the temple, university, etc.,  A dumb suggestion.  My "worldly" interests.  

This is the hub of the Church, so it is a place of interest.  Jay reminded me that it won't happen.  And another woman, as we were leaving the Cannon Center said, "I come to these every 20 years, and it doesn't go anywhere".  I smile as I think of such growth and development.  

Traditions

This reminds me of Paul's mission, where he had to deal with the Jews, who followed him everywhere to demand that the Greeks converting to the church, needed to be circumcised.  But here, we have lifelong traditions from the times past.  I have always been conscientious about following the Prophets.  This area has had to deal with baptizing in the fonts at the meeting houses.  And the letter was read to all one day recently that all baptisms will be in the buildings, from April 1st on.  Yesterday was a Stake baptism day, and only 2 out of the 9 were baptized for various reasons.  We heard that one family had gone over to Kaneohe to a Bishop there to have their child baptized by him, in the ocean.  When our Stake President was contacted, the word NO was given to that bishop, and he complied.  Interesting.  

We have a g'child who will be baptized in May, and he is fine with it, no option.  But Noah had really wanted to be baptized in the Stake Center Font anyway, like his friend.  We have attended many baptisms where it has rained, and the waves huge, and stormy, and cold, and you could barely hear the talks on the Holy Ghost and on Baptism.  So this is nice.  I was baptized in the ocean, in Nanakuli,  this is fine to follow the prophets. 

Flowers

This is the 10 foot Ficus at the top of our stairs, to the left of it is our entrance way.  We have a cluster of orchids here, a cluster of white orchids in the house.  It's fun to have fresh flowers and I don't have to buy them.  They're right here in the yard.  My cousin Sonny belongs to the Orchid Society of Hawaii, and when he was in the hospital, we took some of his orchids to save them.  We have been rewarded.  This view is a rare sunny day in Laie, Hawaii.  We have been deluged with rain for months now.  Me Kealoha Pumehana

cards

Some cute cards we received.  Notice the dogs.  

Yeayy, I'm 70

And I love it.  I am so blessed.  I spent the usual morning Seminaring, then study, then drive into Honolulu to teach our Institute class.....  We did a review once again of General Conference.  When we asked our class "What are the 6 D's of Distruction?'  "Dinner" was a response.  Can you think of anything so funny as that?  Eat, Eat, Eat, that is the culture here.  I spent the afternoon with my two sisters and my cousin Sonny who had a heart attach 5 months ago.  We all grew up together, and we consider him our "brother"......  that is the Hawaiian way.  I was warmly greeted here at home with dessert by Jace/Taran and family.  I am so spoiled.  Rotten!!!  But I love it.  I love life, I love my husband Jay, and I love my Savior more.

Elder 68

Yes, he did the Seminary thing, then we went over to golf.  Then he studied while I went into town to celebrate with Sherrill, pedicures, Chinatown, lunch, errands.... Jace took his dad to golf another 18 at Turtle Bay, then the whole family went to the Laie Chop Suey House.  Then we went to teach at our Institute class, and he got a group of 12 women and girls to sing Happy Birthday to him.  I've never seen him turn beet red before.  He's not used to all this adulation.  But he deserves every bit of it.  He is da bomb.  

Started celebrating the big 70

I drove into Honolulu to join my High School Classmates for lunch today.  I am the baby of the   class.  They are all looking at their 71st and even 72nd for some.  I had a Chinese Chicken Salad.  It was so big, I halved it with another classmate.  Their are more LDS now than when we were in school.  A few converts, and dear friends, who have become dearer as we share another bond now.  Tomorrow, it's Elder McQuivey's birthday.  He will be 68.  After we go do our Seminary thing, I plan to take him to breakfast at the Hukilau.  It is fabulous.  Real ono, and oh so busy there.  Then the rest of the day will be spent with Sherrill, my daughter-in-law's mother.  It's her birthday too, she will be 69.  Then we have to return home, so I can go off to teach our Institute class in the evening.  And Friday is my big wahoo.  Oh to still be healthy, happy and sexy.  Can I say that?  I just did.  I am all those things and more....spiritually, I am da bestest of all, and still growing dat way.  I love having the Holy Ghost as my constant companion.  I have learned so much from Him.  Even learned to repent big time...for real!!  Enuf already!!  

Plants in Hawaii

Today was a fun P Day.  We drove to Kailua to a plant nursery with Taran and Sherrill to find some plants for the yard.  Acres and Acres of plants.  The kind of plants I only have in little pots in Utah.  Acres of them.  I remember these plants from my childhood.  In Hilo, Waimea, Nanakuli and all over the Islands.  I wish we had taken some pictures.  Forgot the camera.   Go online and look up plants in Hawaii, and birds in Hawaii too.  This is what I see everyday, everywhere.  It is like being in a candy store.  For me, it's like being in a Seed Store.  Li Hing Mui, Rock Salt Plum, and Mochi Crunch to eat with my popcorn.  

Scripture Mastery

I got drafted on a team this morning to play SM.  I thought, "easy"  Boy was I the drag on our team.  I knew where everything was found in the New Testament,  but I just wasn't as quick as the kids.  I was still getting all the rules of the game, when half way through class, the athletes were "full"...the reward was on the food table.  Doughnuts, fruit and peeps.  I knew all the answers, but I just wasn't quick enough.  The only game we won, was when we super challenged, and we as a team had to quote the scripture exactly.  Wow, that was my only chance, no hurry, just accurate.

Luke 13:34

I watched a hen this morning find a dryer spot of ground under a huge tree, when she sat down and her little ones crawled under while she protected them from the heavy rains.  I instantly thought, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem......... ;  how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!"  She eventually tucked her head under one wing, to hover from the strong wind and rain.  I took two pictures that I watched from our apartment window at about 8am until the rain subsided at 8:40.  I wish I could post the pictures here but you wouldn't get to see much except for the dark spot at the base of the tree, across the street.  I felt such warmth for my daughters-in-law, who gather their children "under their wings" and protect them, with the help of their husbands, our sons,  the Lord's sons and daughters.  We are only privileged to have raised these fine sons.  The little chicks finally came out from under her and followed her off the little hill where the tree stands.

Gen.Conference

Are you all enjoying the wonderful sessions?  Our new Apostle is Megan's former mission President from 1989, in Bordeaux, France.  

Elder Pearson, who spoke too from the 70's is one of our Institute gal's former mission president.  She is from New Zealand, and she served in So. CA.  

Isn't it just fabulous to hear from these our leaders, and to know that we are in good hands with the Lord's church led by such great people.  

We woke early here in Hawaii, just before 6am and fixed hot chocolate, and curled up to watch the first session in our apartment, knowing that our loved ones were watching from everywhere in the world.  Jace's family slept in their TV room last night, so they could watch first thing this morning, then we were invited downstairs to have breakfast with them.  Fried Rice, and waffles, and all the trimmings.

Oh how we love the privilege we have to serve, to be a part of this great work.  We truly love the Lord, and we are blessed bey0nd measure..  

Me kealoha pumehana,  the Hawaiian missionaries.

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